Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Andreev (ranked 6 p4p, 2 weight class) and Ira Wright (ranked 30 p4p, 3 weight class). Ira Wright told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!Introducing the challenger to my left. With a record of 19 wins, 1 losses and 0 draws, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Andreev!And introducing the champion to my right. With a record of 21 wins, 3 losses and 0 draws, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ira Wright!The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Andreev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him. Wright uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Andreev.Andreev has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance. Andreev throws a lazy right hand but Wright sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.Wright looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.Wright has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight. Wright lands a nice hook to Andreev's body. Andreev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes. Wright throws a mid kick that lands with a slap. Wright misses with a looping right. Andreev misses with a looping left. Wright uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Andreev. Wright throws a head kick but Andreev moves out of range.
Andreev tries to bum rush Wright with a series of wild strikes but Wright uses good footwork to avoid the assault. A shot to the body from Wright misses and Andreev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw. Wright throws a nice inside leg kick. Andreev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Wright was covering up waiting for the punch and Andreev finishes the takedown easily into guard. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Wright has Andreev pulled in close to control his posture. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Wright is trying to control the position but Andreev postures up. That's one minute gone in the round. Andreev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent. Andreev scoring with punches to the head and body. Wright will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Andreev looking to control the position here, rather than advance. Andreev trying to control the position from guard on top but Wright is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Wright utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound. That's two minutes gone in the round.The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so. Wright wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now. Wright utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound. Andreev trying to control but Wright is working from the bottom. The referee decides to stand the fighters back up. Wright slips under a jab from Andreev.Ira Wright is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs. Andreev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor. Wright tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Andreev is able to avoid easily. Andreev loads up on a big right hand but Wright slips the punch. Andreev moves away from the strike by Wright. Andreev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Andreev throws a hook but Wright blocks it. Wright throws a body shot but no joy. It looked like Andreev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit. Andreev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut. Wright misses with a two punch combination.
Andreev changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit. Wright feints and then cracks Andreev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Andreev down. That's three minutes gone in the round. Wright misses with a looping left. Andreev connects with a crisp jab. Andreev with a body punch. A glancing blow. Wright has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Andreev finds it's way round the side to connect with Wright's head. Wright throws a sloppy head kick and Andreev moves out of range easily. Andreev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range. Wright scores with a kick to the midsection. Andreev jabbing away but nothing is landing. Wright with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Andreev swinging wildly here.
Andreev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Wright defends well and Andreev ends up having to push Wright into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch. Wright lands a nice shot to the body.
Andreev loads up on a big right hand but Wright slips the punch. Wright scores with a hook to the body. Andreev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath. Wright jabbing away but nothing is landing. Andreev drops down looking for a counter takedown but Wright sprawls and moves away.The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Andreev fails to land the takedown.That's four minutes gone in the round. Nice straight punches there by Wright. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Wright. Andreev moves out of range of the strikes.Andreev is looking for a counter combo. Andreev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button. Wright lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Good work by Andreev as he checks the leg kick. Wright lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.Andreev dives in and scores a takedown into Wright's guard. Wright has Andreev pulled in close to control his posture. Andreev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound. Andreev with a flurry of punches that miss. The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult. Andreev postures up in Wright's guard and throws a big left but Wright blocks it. Andreev is stalling in the full guard. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexey Andreev will probably get the nod.That's time! Back to the action!

Andreev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut. Andreev walks into a jab. Wright throws a body shot but no joy. A combination from Andreev does no damage. Wright misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Andreev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw. Wright throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Andreev on the side of the head. Andreev connects with a single shot there. Andreev blocks the body kick.
Wright connects with a solid leg kick. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Wright lands a glancing blow to the side of Andreev's head. Wright misses with a leg kick. Andreev checks a low kick from Wright. Andreev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Andreev moves out of range of the strikes. Wright throws a lazy right hand but Andreev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.That's one minute gone in the round. Andreev throws a big shot that misses. Wright tries a low kick but Andreev avoids it. Wright misses with an uppercut
and Andreev counters with a nice body shot. Andreev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Wright swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Andreev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.Andreev is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all. Andreev shoots in but no luck this time. Wright throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena. Andreev steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Wright. That one must have hurt. Wright lands with a shot to the body. Wright connects with a leg kick. Andreev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it. Andreev throws a shot from downtown. Wright moves away and avoids it.Wright now looks to counter with a shot at the body. Andreev walks forward, straight into a front kick from Wright. Wright connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt. Andreev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wright.
Andreev checks a leg kick. Andreev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
That's two minutes gone in the round.Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Wright throws a looping overhand right but Andreev ducks down to avoid it. Andreev jabbing away but nothing is landing. Andreev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple. Andreev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard. Andreev is looking to work some ground and pound but Wright has wrist control. Andreev trying to control the position from guard on top but Wright is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. Andreev working some strikes from top position. Andreev is looking to work some ground and pound but Wright has wrist control. Wright working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Andreev. Andreev stands up over Wright, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head. Wright is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent. Andreev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent. That's three minutes gone in the round. Andreev throwing strikes but missing. Andreev trying to control the position from guard on top but Wright is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. Andreev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry. Andreev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry. Andreev is stalling in the full guard. Alexey Andreev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far. Wright preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage. That's four minutes gone in the round.Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless. Andreev is looking to work some ground and pound but Wright has wrist control. Andreev throwing strikes but missing. The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.Andreev will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body. Nice defenses there by Andreev.Andreev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect. Wright pushes Andreev away with a front kick. Andreev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Wright. Andreev avoids the head kick by Wright.
Wright looks to throw the jab but Andreev is out of range. Andreev lands with an uppercut that bounces Wright off the cage and back into range. Andreev misses with a hook. Wright ducked under it nicely. Andreev misses with a lunging right hand
and Wright counters with a quick right hand to the jaw. Wright throws a nice outside leg kick. Jab, jab by Wright - just one landing. Wright misses with a low kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Andreev misses the target. Wright throws out a loose jab but Andreev uses good head movement to avoid it. Wright swings away with a leg kick that misses. Wright cracks Andreev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ira Wright showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Wright shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down. A slapping leg kick lands for Wright.
Wright tries to score with a low kick but Andreev moves his leg out of the way. Wright throws a jab but it's blocked by Andreev. Andreev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect. Wright throws a nice inside leg kick. Andreev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Wright tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Andreev is in Wright's guard. Andreev wants to control from the top but Wright keeps moving. Andreev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission. Andreev scoring with some ground and pound. Andreev trying to control but Wright is working from the bottom. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.Andreev is really struggling to control Wright but he's trying to hold on to the position. Andreev with a flurry of punches that miss. That's one minute gone in the round. Andreev throws a big elbow that misses. Andreev throwing strikes from guard but Wright blocks nicely. Wright working a defensive guard here.
Wright utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound. Andreev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time. Andreev throwing strikes but missing. Andreev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard. The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up. Wright working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Andreev. That's two minutes gone in the round.A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace. Wright keeping moving, preventing Andreev from controlling successfully. The referee decides to stand the fighters back up. A nice inside leg kick there by Wright. That's going to slow Andreev down. Andreev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight. Wright throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena. A shot to the liver by Wright. Beautiful body shot. Wright misses with a body punch
and Andreev counters with a nice uppercut. Wright misses the jab. Andreev avoids a low kick by using good footwork. Andreev checks a leg kick. It looked like Andreev was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Wright. Andreev ducks right into an uppercut from Wright. Andreev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt. Wright cracks Andreev with a right hand to the side of the head. Wright bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Wright misses the body punch and Wright takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles. Wright throws a good cross that connects.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Andreev has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Wright finds it's way round the side to connect with Andreev's head. Andreev throws a body shot but no joy. A leg kick checked by Andreev. Andreev keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Andreev throwing a counter right hand but Wright manages to avoid it. Wright pushing out the jab but it's not landing. Andreev tries to counter with a takedown but Wright is quick to defend against it.Ira Wright seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Andreev misses with an uppercut. Wright saw that one coming. Wright dodges the punch combination from Andreev.
Wright throws a low kick but Andreev moves out of range easily. Wright misses with a wild body shot. Wright waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Andreev. Andreev fails with a takedown attempt. Wright scores with a nice right hand.
Wright defending well as Andreev loads up on a big left hand. That's four minutes gone in the round. Andreev checks the leg kick nicely there.
Wright throws a body kick but he was well out of range there. Wright connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Andreev's hands. That kick from Wright tenderised Andreev's leg. Andreev is trying to keep his angry face on. Andreev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time. Wright bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Andreev's head backwards. Andreev misses with a looping right.The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Wright throws a hook but Andreev blocks it.It looked like Andreev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit. Andreev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Wright has time to react. Wright throws a jab but it's blocked by Andreev. Andreev closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wright's guard. Wright working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Andreev. Andreev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent. Wright has momentary wrist control but Andreev slips an elbow through the middle.And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ira Wright just about did enough to take it.The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wright fakes a jab and then connects with a hook. Wright moves out of range as Andreev strikes. Wright throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Andreev shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard. Wright blocking the ground and pound attempt from Andreev. Wright blocking the ground and pound attempt from Andreev. Wright keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Andreev is trying to control the action in half guard but Wright is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard. Andreev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard. Wright is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though. Andreev is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position. That's one minute gone in the round. Wright avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Andreev. Wright keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound. Andreev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wright's head. Andreev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound. Andreev with the ground and pound but Wright uses the opportunity to regain guard. Wright has his hands on Andreev's head, controlling the position. Andreev lands a couple of decent looking shots.That's two minutes gone in the round. Andreev sitting in guard here, content to control. Wright not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Andreev looking to pass the guard. Wright preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage. Andreev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect. The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet. Wright just misses with a punch to the body.
Andreev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wright throws out a loose jab but Andreev uses good head movement to avoid it. Wright gets caught flat footed, as Andreev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard. Andreev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry. That's three minutes gone in the round. Andreev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. Wright is looking to stand up but Andreev isn't so interested in that idea. Andreev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard. Andreev scores with a decent looking elbow strike. Andreev tries to free his leg and advance position but Wright is retaining full guard. Andreev postures up in Wright's guard and throws a big left but Wright blocks it. Andreev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound. Andreev drops back looking for a leg! Wright is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wright manages to kick Andreev off! Andreev jumps back into Wright's guard. Andreev postures up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action. Andreev trying to control the position from guard on top but Wright is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. Andreev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics. The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet. Wright waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Andreev. Wright connects with a leg kick. Andreev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it. Wright keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Andreev on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over. Wright scores with a leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Wright lands an impressive looking overhand right. Andreev doesn't seem phased though. Wright throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Andreev on the side of the head. Andreev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wright was well out of range. Poor timing from Andreev.And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Andreev had his way with Ira Wright in that round.The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Andreev shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Wright eats them both and turns towards Andreev to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo. Wright lands with a right hand. Wright jabs Andreev to the body, keeping him at a distance. Wright stuns Andreev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.Andreev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that. Andreev throws a hook to the side of Wright's head but Wright sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully. Wright looks to land a left hand but Andreev moved out of range nicely. Andreev misses with a straight right. Wright goes for a spinning back kick but it misses. Wright connects with a solid leg kick. Andreev misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Wright throws a hook but Andreev blocks it.Andreev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range. Wright moves into range and lands a nice leg kick. Wright lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Andreev at a distance.
Wright scores with a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action! Wright displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Andreev throws out the jab. That's one minute gone in the round. Andreev slips a jab from Wright. Andreev throws a hook but Wright avoids it easily. Andreev moves out of range as Wright throws a body kick.
Andreev appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body. A solid leg kick lands there for Wright.
Andreev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out. Andreev blocks a leg kick. Andreev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook. Andreev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head. Wright misses with a wild body shot. Andreev swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect. Andreev scores with the left hand. Wright knows he should have avoided that one. Andreev on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Good work by Andreev as he checks the leg kick. Andreev takes a kick to the body and keeps moving. Wright comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.That's two minutes gone in the round. Andreev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wright circles away. Wright lands a glancing blow to the side of Andreev's head.The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Wright tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Andreev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wright. Andreev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Wright's head. Andreev throws out a token jab with nothing on it. Nice sprawl there from Wright as Andreev shoots in.That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Andreev. That's going to take a lot out of him. Wright moves out of range of the strikes. Wright looks to score with a jab to the body but Andreev is just out of range. Wright throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Andreev on the side of the head. Wright throws a quick inside leg kick. Wright stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush. Wright ducks under a wild hook from Andreev. A nice combination there by Wright.
That's three minutes gone in the round.Andreev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position. Wright working a defensive guard here.
Andreev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time. Wright is trying to control the position but Andreev postures up. Andreev throwing strikes from guard but Wright blocks nicely. Andreev advances position into side control! Andreev lands an elbow. Andreev lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face. That's four minutes gone in the round. Andreev lands a nice forearm strike. Andreev in side control, throwing shots but Wright defends. Sloppy strikes there by Andreev. Andreev landing with strikes to the head and body from side control. Andreev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though. Andreev postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Wright manages to work his way to half guard, despite Andreev's best efforts. Wright wants to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!Ira Wright comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.I think Wright has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 47:48Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:48Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ira Wright! Ira Wright retains his welterweight title!A very excited looking Ira Wright made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.